This Letter will be deliverd to you by my worthy Friend Colo Whipple a Delegate of the State of New Hampshire. He is a Gentleman of Candor, and wishes he could have the opportunity of conversing freely with some one of Influence in the Massachusetts Bay upon Matters concerning that State particularly. To whom could I recommend him on this Occasion with more Propriety than to your self. He will be able to give you such Information of Persons and Things as one would not chuse to throw on Paper in this precarious Time when an Accident might turn the Intelligence into a wrong Channel.
I observe by the Boston Papers last brought to us, that you are again placed in the Chair of the House of Representatives, with which I am well pleasd. Mr Paine Speaker pro Temp. Mr Hancock first Member of the Boston Seat and Mr T. Cushing a Councellor AT LARGE—I have the Honor of knowing but few of the Members of the House. I hope my Countrymen have been wise in their Elections and I pray God to bless their Endeavors for the establishment of publick Liberty Virtue & Happiness.
You will hear before this will reach you of the Motions of the Enemy. It has been the general Opinion for many Months past that this City is the Object. Should they gain this Point what will it avail them unless they beat our Army. This I am fully perswaded they will not do. My Wish is that our Army may beat them, because it would put a glorious End to the present Campaign & very probably the War. I confess I have always been so very wrong headed as not to be over well pleasd with what is called the Fabian War in America. I conceive a great Difference between the Situation of the Carthaginian & the British Generals. But I have no Judgment in military Affairs, and therefore will leave the Subject to be discussd, as it certainly will be, by those who are Masters of it. I can not conclude this Epistle without thanking you for your Care in carrying a Matter in which I was interrested through the General Assemby of which I have been informd by our Friend Mr______.
I wish to hear from you. Adieu my Friend,
TO JAMES WARREN.
[MS., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]
PHILADA June 23 1777
DEAR SIR
I wrote to you a few days ago by Colo Whipple with whom I hope you will have free Conversation. As he must have been not far from the Spot, he can give you a more particular Accot than has yet been handed to us, of the late Scituation & Movements of the two Armies. The main Body of our Army was encampd at Middle Brook, and a considerable Force consisting of Continental Troops and Militia lay at a place called Sourland Hills within 6 Miles of the Enemy who were posted at Somersett Court House 9 miles on this Side of Brunswick. The Right of the Enemy was at Brunswick & their Left at Somersett. They were well fortified on the Right and had the Raritan River in front and Millstone on the left. In this Situation General W. tho't an Attack upon them would be attended with bad Consequences. His Design was to collect all the forces that cd possibly be drawn from other Quarters so as to reduce the Security of his Army to the greatest Certainty & to be in a Condition to embrace any fair oppty that mt offer to make an Attack on advantageous terms. In the mean time by light bodies of Militia seconded & encouragd by a few Continental Troops to harrass & diminish their Numbers by continual Skirmishes. But the Enemy made a sudden Retreat to Brunswick and from thence with great Precipitation towds Amboy. All the Continental Troops at Peeks Kill except the number necessary for the Security of the Post were orderd to hasten on to the Army in Jersey & a part of them had joynd. I am not disposd to ascribe great military Skill to Genl Howe, but if he designd to draw the whole of our Forces from the East to the West Side of Hudsons River, in order to gain advantage by suddenly crossing the River with his own Army I cannot but hope they will be cut off & his Design frustrated. Great Credit is due to the Jersey Militia who have turnd out with spirit & alacrity. I congratulate you on the Success of our State Vessels of War.
Will you be so kind as to call on Mrs A & let her know that you have recd this Letter, for she charges me with not writing to my Friends so often as she thinks I ought.